Comments on: 6 Reasons I Hate the LinkedIn “Recommendation” Feature

By: Kerry Sandberg Scott

Kerry Sandberg Scott — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:22:14 +0000

No, JWatts, I don’t think of them all in a negative light. Most are legit, from people who really liked the person’s work. It’s just that the fact that they’re posted in such a public place introduces a whole host of unnecessary issues.

I definitely wouldn’t take down the one you have; you’ll likely offend your manager, who was nice enough to sit down and write it for you. Plus, I don’t think that having them is harmful; I just think they’re unnecessary. I also know some people who WOULD still call her as a reference, especially if she was a direct supervisor. In short, it’s not hurting you to have it.

The degree to which HR people use and like LinkedIn varies widely. Nearly all of the HR people I know online love it. Nearly all of the HR people I know in real life are either not using it at all or are only dimly aware of its value. You definitely have to use it in order to be sure you’re exploring every opportunity, but it shouldn’t be anyone’s only networking tool. There’s really no such thing as too many networking tools, in my view.

I hope and expect that no one is hiring anyone of their LinkedIn profiles. It’s a great way to find candidates, but you still have to do the old-fashioned work of getting to know them and determining if they’re a fit for the job. They haven’t invented a website (yet) that does that part.

By: JWatts

JWatts — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:07:57 +0000

Does this mean you think of LinkedIn recommendations entirely in a negative light? I only have one, from a former manager, but would it be a good idea to take it down? If only to be able to use her as a reference later?

How much does an HR professional take LinkedIn into account? Some people are absolutely in love with the service. I personally think of it as about the same as a Facebook profile, just narrowed down to work information. I wouldn’t hire someone based off their LinkedIn “resume,” just as much as I wouldn’t choose who my best friends were based on their Facebook profiles. It seems like a seriously poor proxy for a real applicant.

By: Marketing Actuary

Marketing Actuary — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:28:09 +0000

I find the Recommendations feature valuable as a starting point. Getting/giving a reference does take time. You can gauge what's written and who wrote it. You can ask for more details the way you normally would without LinkedIn. How reliable are references anyway? You pick who's going to refer you. So you pick people who will say nice things and have a bias towards you getting the position. Hirer-er beware! Marketing Actuary’s last blog post..Lessons from "Networking with Millionaires" by Thomas J Stanley

By: Laurie Ruettimann

Laurie Ruettimann — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:22:00 +0000

I'm with you. I recently solicited some references to see how the process works. First of all, it's tough to decline without hurting the recipient's feelings. Second of all, it's a passive/aggressive way of having a conversation about past performance. You want a recommedation? Call me! Laurie Ruettimann’s last blog post..Punk Rock HR Secrets: Job Loss

By: Kerry

Kerry — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:25:37 +0000

You’d be amazed. I once had someone who listed three references–mom, dad, and grandma…and the the guy had to be at least 35 years old.

By: Carla

Carla — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:25:35 +0000

I never even though about using LinkedIn references. I have one reference but its biased since he is my fiancée (though I worked with him in the past)- and I would never use him as a "real" reference. Carla’s last blog post..Green + Chic Product Review: Golden Earth

By: Ginny Marie

Ginny Marie — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:31:58 +0000

Your list makes so much sense! I've been used as a reference a couple of times, and often the answers I gave to the employer over the phone led to other questions. That personal interaction is really important to see if someone is the right fit for a prospective job. Ginny Marie’s last blog post..Price List: Ooh, Ahh, Pizza!